For the past three days, Millersylvania State Park offered a few friends and myself a tranquil refuge. Our cottage was situated at the edge of Deep Lake; surrounding us were the towering trees, wetlands, old orchards and a web of trails around and throughout the park features. Extending out into the lake was a dock with benches, so I took a few quiet minutes to do the following sketch, to which I later added watercolor.
During one of our walks on the soft forest paths, we nearly stepped on a little woodland amphibian silently crossing the path under foot (click on the photo for a close-up view). Upon my arrival home, I found out that it is a Taricha granulosa, a rough-skinned newt, one of the most poisonous animals alive. No wonder it is not considered endangered! Eating one has dire and deadly consequences.
Rising delicately above the wetland, this nest was spotted from the trail by another in our small party of walkers. The network of bare branches was evidence that in spite of the early signs of spring here in western Washington, winter is still with us.
Jocelyn Curry 
Leave a comment